Reply to Funding for Shepherd's Renovation

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Reply to "Funding for Shepherd's Renovation"

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[quote=Anonymous]From Brandon Todd on SP listserve today.

Neighbors- I wanted to be certain to provide some information regarding Shepherd funding.  I too am completely incensed at the Committee on Education’s recent decision to remove the $12.4 million previously intended to go towards completing the modernization of Shepherd Elementary. I’d like to take a moment to outline the steps that led us to this point, as well as my current efforts to re-capture this lost funding for our school.
 
On March 8th, I sent my budget request letter to Mayor Bowser prior to her release of the budget. In the letter, I specifically asked for the full funding to complete the efforts to modernize Shepherd Elementary.
 
On March 24th, the Executive Office of the Mayor (EOM) released its budget. Included in the budget was the full $12.4 million to complete the modernization of Shepherd Elementary School.
 
On April 21st, I attended a hearing of the Committee on Education in which I continued to advocate for the full funding for Shepherd Elementary, and express my support for the Mayor’s budget which included said funds. At this hearing, Chancellor Henderson also provided testimony to discuss the importance of this funding.
 
At this point in time, the funds for Shepherd were still safe. On May 5, that changed.
 
On May 5th, the Education Committee removed Shepherd’s funding from the budget. The reason stated was that other schools have been untouched and one that has seen modernization should not receive additional funds unless they are to address health and safety issues. I seriously considered voting against this iteration of the budget because I completely disagreed with the Committee’s decision to de-fund Shepherd. However, to do so would have meant voting against Coolidge High School, MacFarland, and every other Ward 4 school in the capital improvement plan, as well as programming and operations for schools.
 
On Wednesday, May 11th, the entire Council held a budget meeting to discuss, in its entirety, the FY ’17 budget. I was adamant in my argument for the Council to re-instate the funding for Shepherd, so its modernization could be completed this upcoming fiscal year. I told the Council about the two critical issues you and I both know need to be addressed with this funding – the construction and completion of a full cafeteria for Shepherd Elementary, and the modernization of the school’s gymnasium. These two areas of concern have been a priority in the community for years, and for good reason. 
 
Regarding the cafeteria: Shepherd has a well-documented history of rodent infestation. It is a major health hazard for our students to have to eat among rodent droppings on and near their lunch tables. Moreover, there is insufficient space for food preparation. Due to the limited preparation activity that can take place at one time, Shepherd must serve lunch in multiple shifts, leading to many students eating lunch for breakfast. Food storage is also a problem – currently, there is insufficient storage for many temperature-sensitive foods, including milk.  Safety concerns also exist – in the event of a fire, students who are disabled or wheelchair bound have no exit strategy because the current cafeteria does not meet ADA requirements. This is unacceptable.
 
Regarding the gymnasium: Shepherd’s gymnasium is in dire need of modernization. Like the cafeteria, the gym is not ADA-accessible – limiting students who are disabled or wheelchair-bound in their use of the facility. Additionally, the current gymnasium has incredibly limited space for aftercare students. Because of this, students in the aftercare program are forced to separate, and are often placed in other areas in the school (including hallways) in order to accommodate the student size.
 
These are more than sufficient reasons to keep the funding for Shepherd Elementary in the budget. 
 
I am scrubbing the entire budget in an effort to identify potential funding sources to re-allocate the needed funds for Shepherd Elementary School. I am also speaking with my colleagues for their support of restored funding. In the interim, I will continue to keep pushing in my efforts here, and I need your help. Individually, we are strong. United, we are a force.
 
The first vote on the budget is next Tuesday, May 17th. I will continue to work to identify funding for Shepherd. 
 
Sincerely,
Brandon

Brandon Todd
Councilmember, Ward 4
Council of the District of Columbia
202-724-8052 (Office)
202-316-6001 (Mobile)[/quote]

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